Family Fun and Fall Festivities

This weekend we drove to Bengtson's Farm. It felt very midwestern of us and was very fun:

 There was a pig race.

 And we cheered from the bleachers.

We took a ride in a train and talked about Thomas the whole way.

I was glad Daniel was there to do the "spinny rides." Looks like he was glad too.

 Levi rode his first pony (if you don't count Luther).

We fed lots of cute animals a healthy snack of carrots.

 Levi made friends with a goat and they stared off in the distance together.

I saw my favorite animal. This camel was particularly cute...

...with his extra long neck.

 Levi tried riding pumpkins, which wasn't as fun as riding ponies...

 ...until Daddy joined in.

With two adorable boys its hard to remember to take pictures of the two of us. 

We remembered this time.

Silas really was a part of the fun...he just slept through most of it. And when he finally was awake I captured some amazing pictures with out adjusting the camera. Whoopsies. Biggest let down of the day. 

This would have been a great shot.

We all had so much fun!

loc.al.ert / Train Restaurant

Two Toots Train Whistle Grill

As you may have already figured, this is a good one if you have kids (between 1 and 10) and live in the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn Area.  I mean really good. The first time we went here was the first (and only) time we have seen Levi (2) cry for joy. Literally (He LOVES all things train).  We were sitting on the stools that are strategically placed in front of a train that circles a track to bring your food as its freight.  As he was watching the small train carry baskets of fries and burgers to the customers, a real train stopped on the tracks just outside the restaurant window--too good to be true and the excitement levels were rising. Suddenly, Levi realized that Thomas the Tank Engine was playing on TV in the restaurant, and well, it was too much. He started to screech and shake a little, and tears welled up in his eyes. Dan and I were rolling and could not hold our excitement in either :)

The food is just right for kids too; burgers, hotdogs, fries, etc.  Not the healthiest menu options but at least they are trying: 100% grass fed, 100% prairie raised beef even for their hot dogs.

Try it!

We made it!

We honestly weren't sure we would...but we made it through one crazy pregnancy to welcome our very precious Silas Keeton Bush on July 3. And so, I am slowly but surely hoping to re-enter the blogging world. In the whirlwind of the last ten months there would have been both too much and too little to share (I will try to recap at some point). But now I am hoping to give snippets back into our world.  Sharing things that make us happy, inspire us, stir our thinking, make us laugh. And maybe give you an idea of what I am up to creatively, for work and play.

In the meantime, here are a few images captureing our bliss this past month:

Levi meets his baby brother

Daddy getting to know Silas

back home

snuggling

brothers

so glad he's here

Levi Garrison

my three boys

New Park

In the midst of pure craziness (packing up our old house, fixing up the new house, art show on the 29th and just normal life) we have escaped to the quiet little park one block away from the new house. We forget all our cares to chase leaves, play by the giant willow tree, and jump off of things (Levi's new trick).

We are back

from a wonderful week in Door County, Wisconsin. Some dear family friends let us use their cabin way up in Ellison Bay (for those of you who know Door County). It was a bit of a detox from normal life...no internet, or even phone service. No to-do's around the house or yard. No work for Dan, no painting for me. And as much land to roam as a boy and his dog could hope for. With only a few wow-a-week-is-a-long-time-to-go-with-out-being-connected-to-the-world-moments, we soaked up the fresh air and benefited from truly being away. The house is perched right on lake michigan and surrounded by woods. I read a book and cooked. We hiked in the national parks and swam everyday. It was beautiful and a bonding time for our little family.

Home bound.

Levi has been sick the last couple days and we have found ourselves stuck at home. I haven't minded; it's good to slow down together every now and again. A few things that have been fun: popsicles, sesame street and the front porch (good for people watching).

Summer=

pool time, friends, family, and....boo boos.


Levi and his friend Ester at the pool.






Levi's new best friend and our latest addition to the family, Luther.


Playtime on the couch...a new favorite.


And Levi's 1395th boo boo, but FIRST stitches.

Here's to Olive....

Our dog Olive passed away Saturday after three short years of doggie/owner bliss. She was the perfect dog for our little family. She will be missed.













































We love you girl!